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04 Dec 05 - 08:49 PM (#1620080) Subject: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Big Al Whittle I bought one of these guitars last week. I've played the CPX8 for about 4 years and I really liked it and I was looking for something with a cedar top - perhaps as a second guitar in open tuning. If anybody knows of any published reviews of the CPX15cm , or indeed has used one in a gigging situation - I'd be very grateful. Any hints and tips about using setting up the controls in the combat zone. I play it through an 60 watt AER amp and Yamaha acoustic stomp , but that is not the only option. Any ideas very gratefully received all the best big al whittle |
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05 Dec 05 - 03:58 PM (#1620556) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: GUEST weelittledrummer, Surely your own opinions concerning the instrument are the important ones? Why do you need other peoples reviews? |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:22 PM (#1620586) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: GUEST,Martin gibson Maybe because he is unsure of his purchase and needs to be told a cedar top is as good or as better as a spruce top even though I am hard pressed to think of one real pro I have ever seen play one of these. If I wanted an alternative to spruce I would have gone with a mahogany top Martin D15 with a fishman pick-up. But why take an alternative to a spruce top anyway? |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:24 PM (#1620590) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Big Al Whittle Not really, I'm no expert. and it is very easy to get these things wrong. I did read on one occasion a letter I had written to a magazine, churned out by a professional journalist as a review. But by and large they are written by cleverer people than me, who know more about guitar construction, probably are better guitarists, have more experience of getting the best out of equipment. i certainly never get the gear to sound as nice as it does on those sampler cds on the front of guitar magazines. coupled with that, complete beginners sometimes stumble inadvertently across really groovy stuff - stuff that I won't find because I am old, narrow minded and go into my routine whichever bit of plywood is suffering my attention. does me good to look out of the manhole cover now and then. all the best al |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:31 PM (#1620603) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Wesley S A lot depends on what type of music you want to play on it. I noticed you mentioned open tunings. What type of sound are you after ? |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:40 PM (#1620612) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: GUEST [Is a] cedar top is as good or as better as a spruce top? Not many people, not least those listening to your performance will care. It's, far more important to learn the instrument. Trying to 'buy' talent by getting a good guitar doesn't work. I, as have many others, tried it. |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:48 PM (#1620620) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Wesley S People play better on a good instrument than a bad one. That's pretty obvious. And if you love the new guitar - you'll play more often - it's pretty simple really. |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:49 PM (#1620623) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Big Al Whittle Reason for choice. I knew I was going to buy a second guitar. I needed one, to cut down on onstage tuning. I had an FG Yamaha but the change in quality of sound between the two guitars was dramatic. the CPX8 has a fairly tame sound acoustically. A couple of guitarists have told me it is overbuilt - too much strutting inside - but Yamaha apparently make them like that so that they can be transported safely all round the world. However when plugged in, it has a beautiful smooth creamy sound. there is a mic under the sound hole and a piezo mike under the bridge and you can mix the two sound sources. very effectively and easily - also it is versatile - you can use less mic when you want something a little racy like deep chorus or long delay. I like a narrow neck. A few months ago I did attended a workshop with Ken Nicol, (guitar picker in Steeleye Span. terrific player - I never realised DADGAD was such a great blues tuning). Despite the fact that he is a million times better than me, our styles are quite similar. Ken talked enthusiastically about cedar tops. So I thought I'd get one I tried maybe a dozen different guitars at at the acoustic avalon - probably the best guitar show in the midlands. Turner, Lowdens, Avalons, Takamines - the yamaha seemed the best (neckwise and soundwise and set up wise)by a country mile. It was a very good price - not as cheap as in the USA , but by English standards pretty good. so I went for it, and now I'm wondering if anybody knows how to get the best out of it. |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:52 PM (#1620626) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: GUEST I'm wondering if anybody knows how to get the best out of it. Be musical *grin* |
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05 Dec 05 - 04:54 PM (#1620629) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Wesley S Get a good setup from a qualified repairperson. Then start playing around with different sets of strings until you find some you like. And of course - practice, practice, practice. |
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05 Dec 05 - 06:01 PM (#1620693) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: GUEST,Martin Gibson typical dialogue from an audience member or two who comes up to me after my first set: Audience member: "Is that an old Martin you play?" Martin gibson: "Yes, it is. It is a 35 year old D18" Aud member: "Boy, it sure sounds great. even without a pick-up." I sure figured it was a nice old one." MG: "Thanks. I love it. It sounds great miked. I change the strings as soon as they start to lose it. Martin SP mediums are perfect for it. Thanks for noticing." |
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05 Dec 05 - 06:09 PM (#1620699) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: GUEST You obviously get a more discerning crowd than I do, Martin! |
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05 Dec 05 - 06:50 PM (#1620727) Subject: RE: Yamaha CPX15cm guitar -review, opinions? From: Big Al Whittle I suppose it comes down to what you want from the guitar. If I ever get round to it I would like to have guitars with solid wood sides. I can see they would be something of an improvement. I wonder if you know the work of jack hudson , Martin, like you he is a purist - says there is nothing to beat a good quality guitar miked up. Its a point of view I have a lot of respect for. there is an undeniable integrity to that sort of work. However I perceive the area I want to move into is using stomp boxes to give me a different pallette of colours as backgrounds for my songs. My guitar technique is okay - I add different tunings, and sometimes a new chord or two - but fundamentally I'm not going to change very much, I doubt if I'm capable of much change at my advanced age. I don't know if what I'm trying is going to work, but hell it's better to have tried and failed, than not to have tried. Nothing sadder than I could have done it if only...... Anyway thanks for giving me your thoughts on the matter. Its a bugger we haven't turned up any reviews. Can't see any on the web either - only a few catalogue specifications all the very best to you all big al whittle |